Collapsible boats and their production



Jan. 3, 1961 G. c. HENRY COLLAPSIBLE BOATS AND THEIR PRODUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 9, 1956 Jan. 3, 1961 G. c. HENRY 2,966,687

COLLAPSIBLE BOATS AND THEIR PRODUCTION Filed Nov. 9, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 F .6. s1 4 81 4/ l x --Q r- Q 0 D I 1961 G. c. HENRY COLLAPSIBLE BOATS AND THEIR PRODUCTION Filed Nov. 9, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 3, 1961 G. c. HENRY COLLAPSIBLE BOATS AND THEIR PRODUCTION 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Nov. 9, 1956 'COLLAPSIBLE BOATS AND THEIR PRODUCTION GlennC. Henry, Otisfield, Maine; Guinevere B. Henry, executrix of said Glenn C. Henry, deceased Filed Nov. 9, 1956, Ser. No. 621,353

8 Claims. (Cl. 9-2) The present invention relates-to collapsible boats-and to their production and this application is a continuationin-part of my co-pending application, Serial No. 522,748, now Patent No. 2,880,429, filed July 18, 1955.

There is a wide demand for a boat that can be easily carried from one place to another without the necessity of using a trailer. This. demand is only partly met by boats of light weight construction for bulk is also an important consideration from the standpoint of storage asiwell as requirements-of transportation.

The principal objective of this invention is to provide a boat that is collapsible and that is adapted to light weight constructions, thus to meet weight andbulk requirements, suited to safe operation under all conditions of use that could be expected of a boat of its size.

Other objectives are to provide, in a collapsible boat, bow and-stern braces, preferably those coming into operative position as the boat is erected andto incorporate means to hold the erected boat against collapse as by a stern keeper that may be used as an outboard motor mount, by seats which also serve to brace the erected boat, or by both types of means.

Another objective of the invention is that of providing a boat formed of hull sections joined by waterproof hinges so disposed and arranged that the hull may be collapsed with its two halves coplanar and folded against each other and the upper part of each half then folded against the lower part thereof to ensure maximum compactness and that, when erected, is possessed of desirable characteristics ensuring eifective performance and is adapted to constructions providing for the use of outboard motors therewith. Y

In the constructionof boats in accordance with the invention, reinforcements of desired outline are arranged on a-first or outer coveringof flexible waterproof ma terial laid out on a flat surface. A second' or inner sheet of waterproof material is laid-over the assembly and the two sheets are joined together around each reinforcement thus to provide a plurality of hull sections separated by. flexible and waterproof hinges. In practice, the outer and inner coverings are also directly joined by-1ines of stitching and where thereinforcements are plywood or like panels, the coverings are adhesively joined'to appropriate surfaces thereof.

In practice, the outer covering is heavier than the inner one-Which is depressed into contact therewith so that thehinges are-in the plane of the heavier sheet. The reinforcements preferably have their edges inclined away from eachflother and from the proximate hinge axis. In production, that group of" reinforcements are united at one time that provides half of the'hull, as determined with' reference to its center line, with marginal stock at corresponding edges thereof being joined along the center line of the hull.

In the accompanying drawings, there is shown an illustrative embodiment of a collapsible boat in accordance'with the invention from which 'theseand other of its i 2,956,687 PatentediJan; 3; 1961 objects, novel'features' and advantages, both structural and method, will be readily apparent.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top elevational view of a boat in accordance with the invention, erected for use,

Figs. 2, 3, and 4 are, respectively, side, bow, and stern views thereof,

Fig. 5 is a section, in an increased scale, taken along the indicated lines 55 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 6 is a section taken along the indicated lines 6-6 of Fig. l, the figure beingbroken into two parts in order to maintain the scale of Fig. 5,

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary section, on a further increased scale, but substantially along the: lineson which Fig; 5 was taken, illustrating the attachment of a seat to the hull,

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the boat sufficiently collapsed to bring its two halves together,

Fig. 9 is a similar view illustrating the boat fully collapsed,

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective of the stern of the boat, the race therefor, and the keeper, and

Figs. 11, 12, and 13 are fragmentary sections, on the scale of Fig. 7, taken along the indicated lines 11-11, 12-12, and 13-13, respectively, of Fig. 1.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings, the boat comprises a pair of bottom hull sections 25 connected to the keel 21 and keelson 22 to provide a waterproof hinge or foldline23'enabling the sections Ztl to be swung towards or away from each other with respect to the keel 21 and keelson 22. A hull side section 24 is similarly connected to the upper edge of each bottom section 20 to swing in either direction with respect to its hinge'or fold line 25.

The bow of the boatcomprises a pair of how members, generally indicated at 26, each including a pair of hull sections 27 and 28 joined together by a waterproof hinge defining a fold line 29 with the section 27 being similarly joined to the proximate end of an appropriate one of the side sections 24 to establish a waterproof hinge or fold line 36. The section 28 has waterproof hinge or fold lines 31 and 32 between it and the adjacent bottom section 20 and the stem 33 'and-stemson 34, respectively.

A brace 35, see Fig. 6, is pivotally connected at one end to the keelson 22 as at 36 and at its other end to the stem son '34 by means of apin 37 extending transversely through a slot 38in the upper end of the stemson 34 so that in the erected position of the boat, the brace 35' is operative to prevent upwardswinging of the stemson 34 relative to the-keel structure, the keel 21 and keelson 22.

The stern of-theboat, see Figs. 4, 5, 6, and-9, is shown as comprising two stern members, each generally indi-'- cated at 40 and having three'approximately triangular hull sections 41, 42 and 43. Each section 42 has waterproof hinges providing fold lines 44 and 45 between it and the members 41'and 43, respectively, and a like connection'with the proximate endof the associated bottom section ZO-defining a fold line 46. Eachsection 41 has a waterproof hinged connection with the proximate side section 24'defining-a fold line 47 and each section 43 is similarly connected to the stern post 48 to providea hinge line 49.

In practice, it is desirable to'brace the stern and this is shown as accomplishedas by means ofthe two'brace parts-51 hinged as at 52 to opposite edges-ofa-rnount 53 onthe keelson 22. Hinged as at 54 to the rear-- edges ofthe part s'51 are a'pair of brace parts 55, h-inged' 'as 'at 56 to each other. The two-brace parts 55 wher'1 disposed in coplanar relationshipare-approximately of the size and shape of the upper portions of the stern sections 43 when similarly arranged and fit against the sections 42 when the boat is erected. The brace parts 51 and the brace parts 55 are so shaped and arranged that when the brace parts 51 are swung away from each other to bring the parts 55 into coplanar relationship, the parts 55 are in parallel with the coplanar stern sections 43 of the erected boat and bear against the face of the stern post 48 that is opposite the junction of the stern sections 43 therewith.

The stern sections 43 and the brace parts 55 are locked against movement from this relationship by means of the detachable keeper. generally indicated at 60, and shown as having inserts 61 spaced to straddle the stern post 48 and dimensioned to enter between the stern sections 43 and brace parts 55. The keeper 60 includes inner and outer metal walls 62 and 63 to engage respectively the remote faces of the upper portions of the brace parts 55 and of the stern sections 43 not only to splint them against movement but also to establish the keeper 60 as a mount to which an outboard motor may be clamped. The inner wall 62 is slotted as at 64 to accommodate the hinge 56.

It will also be noted that the boat is provided with seats 65 and 66, each of which is shown as having at its ends clips 67, see Fig. 7, whose arms are downwardly and inwardly inclined at approximately the angle of the sides of the erected boat for entry into brackets 68 on the interior of the side sections 24. By this arrangement, the seats serve to lock the boat assembled, to brace the side sections 24 and, accordingly, the entire hull, and to be releasably held securely against disconnection therefrom.

In practice, the keelson 22 is oppositely recessed as at 69 and 70 to receive uprights 71 and 72 which engage with and support the central part of the seats 65 and 66, respectively.

To collapse the boat, it is only necessary to remove the seats 65 and 66 and to detach the keeper 60. The various hull sections on each side of its center line may then be brought into a coplanar relationship to provide two halves that are folded flat together. During this collapse, the stem and stemson and the stern post swing downwardly away from each other. It will be noted from Fig. 8 that the hinge lines 29 and 44 of each side or half are both in alinement with the hinge line 25 enabling the side section 24, the bow section 27 and the stern section 41 of that side to be folded, as a unit, downwardly over the bottom section 20, the bow member 28 and the stern members 42 and 43 to render the boat fully collapsed.

It will also be noted from Fig. 8 that the fold lines 29, 30 and 31 intersect at a common point along the fold line 25 as do the fold lines 44, 46, and 47. The fold lines 45, 46 and 49 intersect at a common point along the fold line 23. The angle defined by the fold lines 30 and 31 and 46 and 47 must be more than 90 and less than 180 with the exact angle being dependent on the angular relationship that is wanted for the included parts in the erected boat.

In practice, each hull section consists of an inner reinforcement that establishes it as a self-sustaining component as far as its size and shape are concerned. For this purpose, appropriately shaped plywood panels have proved to be satisfactory. In the drawings, the panels of the hull sections 2%, 24, 27, 28, 41, 42, and 43 are indicated in Figs. 5, 6 and at 24 27 28 41 42 and 43*, respectively, and these are shown as encased by an outer flexible and waterproof covering, generally indicated at 75 and an inner flexible and waterproof covering. generally indicated at 76. While any waterproof, flexible sheet material may be used that is possessed of adequate strength, impregnated or coated canvas meets all requirements and preferably the inner covering 76 is of somewhat lighter stock than the outer covering 75. Other impregnated or coated fabrics, cotton in particular, may also be used. The two coverings that are brought together around each reinforcing panel establish the various hull sections and marginal stock 77 for use in anchoring hull portions together. Both coverings are adhesively joined to appropriate faces of the panels and to each other and where joined together, they are shown as further united as by a line of stitching 78.

In practice, the panels are bevelled towards their inner faces as at 79 and the hull sections that establish one side or half, with reference to the center line, as is indicated by Fig. 8, are arranged fiat upon the outer covering 75 with their inner faces upwards. The inner covering 76 is then laid in place. When the panels and covers are adhesively united and the hinge areas also stitched together, the hinge axes are all in the plane of the outer covering. While this method enables the outer covering 75 to be unbroken, tautness of stock develops in the case of the inner covering with respect to certain hinges so that cutting of the inner layer is necessary. Those hinges are then completed by means of a tape 80.

The marginal stock 77 along the upper edge of each hull half is laid inwardly and covered by the gunwale strips 81, 82, and 83. Marginal stock 77 proximate that of the other hull half overlaps therewith and the overlapping layers are joined between the keel 21 and keelson 22, stem 33 and stemson 34, and the anchoring strip 84 secured to the outer face of the stern post 48.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that boats in accordance with the invention are well adapted to meet a wide range of requirements attendant their construction and use.

What I therefore claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stern structure, a pair of bow members each including two hinged sections of which one is hinged to said stem structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and is also hinged to the corresponding end of the proximate bottom section, and the other is hinged to the corresponding end of the proximate side section, and brace means connecting said keel and stem structures interiorly of the boat, said brace means being pivotable with respect to one structure and slidable with respect to the other structure as the boat is collapsed.

2. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stem structure, a pair of bow members each including two hinged sections of which one is hinged to said stem structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto and is also hinged to the corresponding end ofthe proximate bottom section, and the other is hinged to the corresponding end of the proximate side section, and brace means connecting said keel and stem structures interiorly of the boat.

3. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stern post structure, a pair of stern members, each including first, second and third triangular sections, said second section being hinged to said first and third sections, and to the stern end of the proximate bottom section, said third section being hinged to said stern post structure, and said first section also being hinged to the stern end of the proximate side section.

4. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stern post structure, a pair of stern members, each including first, second and third triangular sections, said second section being hinged to said first and third sections, and to the stern end of the proximate bottom section, said third section being hinged to said stern post structure, and said first section also being hinged to the stem end of the proximate side section, said second sections being coplanar, said third sections being coplanar, and the upper edges of said second and third sections being transversely alined.

5. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stern post structure, a pair of stem members, each including first, second, and third triangular sections, said second section being hinged to said first and third sections and to the stem end of the proximate bottom section, said third section being hinged to said stern post structure, and said first section also being hinged to the stern end of the proximate side sections, and brace means connecting said structures interiorly of said boat.

6. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stern post structure, a pair of stern members, each including first, second, and third triangular sections, said second section being hinged to said first and said third sections, and to the stern end of the proximate bottom section, said third section being hinged to said stern post structure, and said first section also being hinged to the stern end of the proximate side sections, in the erected boat, said third sections being coplanar, and brace means connecting said structures interiorly of said boat, said brace means comprising a first pair of brace members hingedly connected to keel structure with their hinge axes disposed longitudinally thereof, and a second pair of brace members hingedly connected to each other and to appropriate ones of said first pair of brace members to be parallel to said third stern sections when erected.

7. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stern post structure, a pair of stern members, each including first, second, and third triangular sections, said second section being hinged to said first and said third sections, and to the stem end of the proximate bottom section, said third sections being hinged to said stern post structure, and said third section also being hinged to the stern end of the proximate side sections, in the erected boat said first sections being coplanar, and brace means connecting said structures interiorly of said boat, said brace means comprising a first pair of brace members hingedly connected to keel structure with their hinge axes disposed longitudinally thereof, and a second pair of brace members hingedly connected to each other and to appropriate ones of said first pair of brace members to be parallel to said third sections, and means locking said third stern sections and said second pair of brace sections in parallel.

8. In a collapsible boat, keel structure, a pair of bottom sections hinged to the keel structure to swing inwardly and outwardly with respect thereto, a pair of side sections each hinged to an edge of respective one of said bottom sections to swing upwardly and downwardly with respect thereto, stern post structure, a pair of stern members, each including first, second, and third triangular sections, said second section being hinged to said first and third sections, and said third sections being hinged to said stern post structure, and said first section also being hinged to the stem end of the proximate side sections, in the erected boat said third sections being coplanar, brace means connecting said structures interiorly of said boat, and detachable means interlocking said brace means and said third stern sections against movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,333,248 DiCarlo Mar. 9, 1920 1,359,806 Holmstrom Nov. 23, 1920 1,738,221 Bair et al. Dec. 3, 1929 1,895,380 Elling Jan. 24, 1933 1,916,486 Miller July 4, 1933 2,353,013 Clark July 4, 1944 2,522,910 Wayne Sept. 9, 1950 

